Rajasthan Royals batsman Jos Buttler extended his sensational form in IPL 2022 as he smashed a record-equalling fourth century to guide his team to victory against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Friday and seal a spot in Sunday's final against Gujarat Titans.
Chasing 158 for victory at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Buttler blasted an unbeaten 106 off 60 balls as Rajasthan reached 161-3 with 11 balls to spare.
Bangalore, made to bat in the second qualifier, had earlier managed just 157-8 as fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy picked up three wickets each on a helpful surface.
Buttler’s sixth six proved to be the winning runs. His fourth ton equaled Kohli’s record in the 2016 IPL.
It will be the second final appearance for Rajasthan who won the inaugural edition in 2008 under late Australian hero Shane Warne.
"To be able to get the opportunity to go and play in the final of the biggest T20 tournament in the world is incredibly exciting," said Buttler, who also leads the tournament's batting chart with 824 runs.
"You mention Shane Warne, he is such an influential figure for the Rajasthan Royals and having led the team to success in that first season, we will miss him dearly, but we know he is looking down on us with a lot of pride today."
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Rajasthan fans held life-size posters of Warne at the 132,000 capacity stadium which had a large attendance. The final on Sunday is expected to see a full house, making it the most attended cricket match in history.
Buttler got the Royals off to a flier with a 61-run opening stand in 31 balls with Yashasvi Jaiswal, who fell to Australian seamer Josh Hazlewood at the start of the sixth over.
Buttler reached his hundred and punched the air in delight and then hit the winning six to extend Bangalore's wait for a first IPL title. He also had a slice of luck on 66 when wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik dropped a regulation edge behind in the 11 over.
Earlier Bangalore lost Virat Kohli for seven after their former captain hit New Zealand left-arm quick Trent Boult for a six in the opening over but soon fell to Krishna in the next.
The right arm quick got the ball to jump and move at high pace and had Kohli pushing at an away going delivery. Wicketkeeper and captain Sanju Samson took a simple catch behind.
Captain Faf du Plessis put on a 70-run stand with Rajat Patidar as the pair attempted to resurrect the innings.
Patidar, who made an unbeaten 112 in Wednesday's eliminator against Lucknow Super Giants, fought a lone battle after being dropped on 13. Du Plessis did not have any such luck and was caught at first slip for 25 off McCoy, who returned figures of 3-23.
Patidar reached his fifty with a six off leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal but soon fell to Ravichandran Ashwin as Buttler took a well-judged catch at long off. Wickets kept tumbling as Krishna took two from successive deliveries in the 19th over to return figures of 3-22 from his four.
Bangalore captain Du Plessis said he was pleased with his team's performance.
"Great season for RCB, really proud. My first season coming in and seeing how special the fans are everywhere we go. A big thank you to everyone coming out and supporting us," the South Africa said.
"Have had some incredible performances for us. Harshal [Patel] has been amazing. DK [Dinesh Karthik].. all the guys picked for India. Obviously disappointed tonight. Came up against a really strong Rajasthan team who probably deserve it more than us."
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A lesson in simple, seasonal eating. Wedges of tomato, chunks of cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, coriander or parsley leaves, and perhaps some fresh dill are drizzled with a crushed walnut and garlic dressing. Do consider yourself warned: if you eat this salad in Georgia during the summer months, the tomatoes will be so ripe and flavourful that every tomato you eat from that day forth will taste lacklustre in comparison.
Badrijani nigvzit
A delicious vegetarian snack or starter. It consists of thinly sliced, fried then cooled aubergine smothered with a thick and creamy walnut sauce and folded or rolled. Take note, even though it seems like you should be able to pick these morsels up with your hands, they’re not as durable as they look. A knife and fork is the way to go.
Pkhali
This healthy little dish (a nice antidote to the khachapuri) is usually made with steamed then chopped cabbage, spinach, beetroot or green beans, combined with walnuts, garlic and herbs to make a vegetable pâté or paste. The mix is then often formed into rounds, chilled in the fridge and topped with pomegranate seeds before being served.
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Started: 2018
Founders: Eslam Hussein and Pulkit Ganjoo
Based: Dubai
Sector: Transport
Size: 9 employees
Investment: $1,275,000
Investors: Class 5 Global, Equitrust, Gulf Islamic Investments, Kairos K50 and William Zeqiri
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Fujairah is a crucial hub for fuel storage and is just outside the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping route linking Middle East oil producers to markets in Asia, Europe, North America and beyond.
The strait is 33 km wide at its narrowest point, but the shipping lane is just three km wide in either direction. Almost a fifth of oil consumed across the world passes through the strait.
Iran has repeatedly threatened to close the strait, a move that would risk inviting geopolitical and economic turmoil.
Last month, Iran issued a new warning that it would block the strait, if it was prevented from using the waterway following a US decision to end exemptions from sanctions for major Iranian oil importers.
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Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
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Tamkeen's offering
- Option 1: 70% in year 1, 50% in year 2, 30% in year 3
- Option 2: 50% across three years
- Option 3: 30% across five years
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Final scores
18 under: Tyrrell Hatton (ENG)
- 14: Jason Scrivener (AUS)
-13: Rory McIlroy (NIR)
-12: Rafa Cabrera Bello (ESP)
-11: David Lipsky (USA), Marc Warren (SCO)
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How has net migration to UK changed?
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It then dropped to an estimated 111,000 in the year to June 2020 when restrictions introduced during the pandemic limited travel and movement.
The total rose to 254,000 in the year to June 2021, followed by steep jumps to 634,000 in the year to June 2022 and 906,000 in the year to June 2023.
The latest available figure of 728,000 for the 12 months to June 2024 suggests levels are starting to decrease.
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If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
The bio
Who inspires you?
I am in awe of the remarkable women in the Arab region, both big and small, pushing boundaries and becoming role models for generations. Emily Nasrallah was a writer, journalist, teacher and women’s rights activist
How do you relax?
Yoga relaxes me and helps me relieve tension, especially now when we’re practically chained to laptops and desks. I enjoy learning more about music and the history of famous music bands and genres.
What is favourite book?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower - I think I've read it more than 7 times
What is your favourite Arabic film?
Hala2 Lawen (Translation: Where Do We Go Now?) by Nadine Labaki
What is favourite English film?
Mamma Mia
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If you’re interested in a career at Google, deep dive into the different career paths and pinpoint the space you want to join. When you know your space, you’re likely to identify the skills you need to develop.
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
